We've very choosy with the Planning Management work that we undertake, and for good reason. We're not planning consultants (yet), and we don't have in-house architects (yet), so our PM services aren't an attempt to take over the world. Instead we assist certain clients that don't have the experience, interest, or time available to manage a project themselves. We require total autonomy, and potential jobs have to allow us the opportunity to add considerable value - after all, we're not cheap!
The assembly and promotion of this key island site on the Old Kent Road in Southwark was managed by Tom Luck on behalf of a private commercial investor. Tom invested thousands of hours, and more than £1M of our clients money in the promotion of the project over the space of 5 years. Far from being a simple case of securing a planning consent, our involvement included bringing a well-established faith and community group into the project, negotiating the surrender of several leases and employing & managing an entire team of specialist consultants.
Major projects are a marathon, not a sprint, and it was 3 years before we were able to submit a planning application. A positive resolution was forthcoming in 2019, but it was late 2020 before the S106 was signed and a decision notice issued.
The scheme comprises 111 residential apartments, more than 22,500sqft of new commercial space and a new 15,000sqft place of worship for the Redeemed Christian Church of God; all wrapped-up in a landmark building over 22 stories. Our sale of the site to a construction-led developer will see the new church delivered for the RCCG, an element of the commercial space handed back to our client and the apartments developed speculatively.
PROJECT ADDRESS: Land bounded by 685-695 Old Kent Road, 2-12 Ruby Street and Murdoch Street, London SE15 1JS
